Please, for the love of God, could people stop dragging threads off topic.

I've been receiving a number of complaints about this. We're in danger of losing some of the forum's most valuable members, who are frankly getting sick of this problem and could actually leave because of it. This includes people who work in the construction industry - as well as long term posters who've been around since 2002.

The construction forum is for news, updates and photos of specific construction projects - not a place to constantly chat and joke around and compare different cities, skylines and random general stuff. There are threads in the 'main' London forum for that, or there's City Talk, or Skylines and Photography, or the Skybar, or any of the myriad forums elsewhere on SkyscraperCity.

So please... try to stay on topic.

Thanks.

I totally agree.

Those people have generally little interest in London. The forum has recently been polluted by numerous non-sense or totally off-topic comments.

Delete their accounts. There is not point to discussing further with them.

dp

it seems to have mushroomed after we went on all those site tours last year and the year before. i think people saw the sort of casual comments we made, jokes etc amongst one-another, after we went on those tours. those comments were ok imo but it seemed to spur a load of new members to get signed up just to talk like that, off-topic, which is kind of irritating when that's all they do.

also it's a very exciting time, so no surprise new members coming on who might not otherwise have been interested. :)

the off-topic stuff is usually just the same members so i've got them all on ignore anyway as they only seem to post in london threads.

/grumpy old man. ;)

Nice weather today.

bit damp for my liking.

bit hot n sunny for me.

the off-topic stuff is usually just the same members so i've got them all on ignore anyway as they only seem to post in london threads.

sorry for my ignorance - does this mean you just don't bother reading their posts, or does it mean you can change some setting so you don't even see their posts in the first place?

Delete their accounts. There is not point to discussing further with them.

Possibly a slight overreaction :ohno:

sorry for my ignorance - does this mean you just don't bother reading their posts, or does it mean you can change some setting so you don't even see their posts in the first place?

He means you can add people to your ignore list, which means that posts by those people will then be hidden.

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/profile.php?do=ignorelist

Good call Will. It is a pain when you check back for news or an update on a project and it's filled with anything but posts on the project.

I don't want to sound like a dictator but it has got quite bad over the past 6 months or so, esp when there are pages of it, I understand people can go off topic sometimes but some of the posting becomes self-perpetuating.

thanks dd. might i suggest that wjf posts this link in a thread any time we get people blatantly ignoring requests to stay on topic? then other forumers can vote with their feet. a bit more democratic than striking people off the forum altogether.

Just curious, what about things of questionable relevance.
Say for example X building was being built on Y street in Z neighbourhood, and someone says 'ah, I used to work down Y street back in W year! I remember their used to be an old chip shop where X building is being built', or Z neighbourhood has really changed in the last few years, does anyone else remember that old club in the 80s'. Would this be classed as on topic because it is relevant to the projects environment?

^^ Same here.

I know that I've gone off-topic on a number of occasions, perhaps to discuss the merits / defend another building from a completely different part of town or perhaps to defend London itself against those saying it's an ugly city etc, but I do feel that at least I do it in a generally classy and well-written kind of way! I will do my best to tone this down and perhaps visit this thread (which is probably the best way of dealing with this particular issue, well done Will!) if I feel the need to vent my spleen!

I will say just one thing, there seems to be a good atmosphere on these forums and while at times things can go overboard, I think it would be a shame if we lost the sense of fun completely, so I don't think we should be encouraging people to be completley po-faced and discussing matters in a bland, robotic manner (adopts robotic voice) "I-like-this-building" etc, so perhaps some middle-ground is needed here..........but hey, you're the mods and you have a difficult enough job as it is, so I won't beat you up too much about it!

It is a question of balance. The question is, in what is one of the busiest times in London in skyscraper terms why there seems to be a marked decrease in comments from more established forummers and people in the industry and an increase in posts of one or two line comments with a wink or banana that are generaly lighthearted and off topic. Is that a coincidence or is it just a periodic lull. I don't know.

This as a forum is only as good as the info and conversation on it. It people who are informative or are working on the project feel its not worth posting then we all lose out. As Will has mentioned there are plenty of sub forums and threads for people to go off topic.

Remember people come on here because they have an interest in architecture or tall buildings and may only dip in or out occasionally. They don't really want to trawl through witty one liners and off topic stuff. Fair enough if you want to go off topic or inject a one liner just think is that all I do on here and from another persons position would you really want to read all of it.

Personally i find comments like "Pass the kleenex :drool:" and "that cladding just made me cum :banana:" to be far more irritating than the general chit-chat that goes off topic.

It's unnecessarily vulgur and more than likely to drive away industry professionals, who may get the impression the forum is frequented by nothing but rampant teens!.

I see what you're saying London Lad, I guess we all need to look at the big picture here and the bottom line is, people browse the London construction forums, primarily to learn about the new developments being built around town and to see the construction photos. I for one will do my best not to veer off-topic, although I do think a large proportion of my posts - here on the London construction forum anyway (I do post on other sections of the forum too!) - have been off-topic, but hopefully some of these off-topic posts have been appreciated and people have felt that I have made some valid points, as I'm generally not one for posting photos or providing development info!

Personally i find comments like "Pass the kleenex :drool:" and "that cladding just made me cum :banana:" comments to be far more irritating than the general chit-chat that goes off topic.


They irritate me too. DarJoLe's "I could lick that cladding" comments just about pass muster ;)

As a relatively new poster (apart from the London forum I generally only post on the Ozscraper one where I add photos and snippets relating to Hobart construction sites) I must admit that due to my unbridled enthusiasm for London (lived there for 4 years and had the very best time) I sometimes am guilty of the occasional banana or one liner which does not add a great deal to the "information exchange" nature of the site.

So I apologise in advance for any future transgressions and will try to keep my posts newsworthy - which will be rather tricky as I am 13,000 kilometres away from the London skyscraper action!!

He means you can add people to your ignore list, which means that posts by those people will then be hidden.

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/profile.php?do=ignorelist

Now that is plain unfair.
But it does work.

Please, for the love of God, could people stop dragging threads off topic.

Isn't this post of yours off topic?

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=43810608&postcount=2427

Not trying to score points here, but how strictly do you want people to stay on topic exactly?

I'm talking about members who frequently post off-topic, and who treat this forum as some kind of chat room, or the chance for a pissing contest between London and New York/Paris/Dubai/wherever.

If you're contributing news, updates and photos on a regular basis - along with stuff that's relevant to the discussion - then the occasional off-topic post is fine. Note the word "occasional". Surely this is just common sense.

Ah so the odd one is fine then? It has to be said though, our off topic posts can often sprout some very interesting and thought provoking discussions, we need a London Skybar really.

Oh and off topic (pun not intended) your one post off 20k will!

I think one of the great strengths of this forum is the fact that the mods take a fairly strict line on staying on-topic, and where necessary delete whole conversations that are irrelevant.

Isn't this post of yours off topic?

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=43810608&postcount=2427

Not trying to score points here, but how strictly do you want people to stay on topic exactly?

That's a bit harsh mate!

We all know Will and co have a tough enough job as it is. As he has said, it's about common-sense, the occasional off-topic comment is fine, pages and pages of it aren't!

Not having a go at you, just think we shouldn't be too harsh on the mods here, as they do a valuable job and we'd be lost without them.

Here here Will. I have been a member of SSC for many years and a keen observer for even longer (nearly since the start I believe). I love this forum, I have learnt so much over the years and know if there is any news or I have any sensible questions to ask about architecture or building techniques this is the first place I would come to.

There have always been off topic posts, but it really is becoming a problem in recent months and as others have said, although I feel this forum should be 'fun' as well as informative, the vulgarity used by some is not really appropriate or that funny to be honest.

Sometimes, I have found conversations going 'off-topic' acceptable. For example, on the Heron thread recently I found peoples feelings and views about the street clutter and furniture on Bishopsgate very interesting and in turn made me think about what I felt about it - however, at least this is somewhat related to Heron and in any case the conversation soon got back 'on-topic'.

I haven't made many posts in the past, but I just needed to post on this as I wanted people to know how much their insights (and photos!) are very much appreciated and wouldn't want them to be put off by a few idiots (I believe in general it is only a small few).

Can I also take this opportunity to thank all the mods for the grand job they do looking after this site and to all the forumers whether in the construction industry or not who contribute to this forum.

Thank you SSC

That's a bit harsh mate!

We all know Will and co have a tough enough job as it is. As he has said, it's about common-sense, the occasional off-topic comment is fine, pages and pages of it aren't!

Not having a go at you, just think we shouldn't be too harsh on the mods here, as they do a valuable job and we'd be lost without them.

I wasn't having a go at him at all, I was just trying to get a better idea of what is expected really.

I am one of those who occasionally indulges in the odd post which isn't strictly on topic (including the dreaded subject of comparing London to NYC and others, which to me it seems CAN be on topic in a broader sense, but evidently wjfox disagrees and he's in charge, not me) so I am one of the culprits it seems.

I'm wondering what will (or should) happen the next time someone posts in one of the threads here and says something like, 'this building wouldn't look out of place in New York', 'that photo looks almost like Manhattan' or 'our skyline will soon rival New York' etc etc. - will such posts be allowed to remain? If someone responds, either to disagree or agree, will THAT post be allowed? What about subsequent posts leading off from that? This is quite a common scenario here so it would be interesting to know.

Sometimes, I have found conversations going 'off-topic' acceptable. For example, on the Heron thread recently I found peoples feelings and views about the street clutter and furniture on Bishopsgate very interesting and in turn made me think about what I felt about it - however, at least this is somewhat related to Heron and in any case the conversation soon got back 'on-topic'.

This. I find discussion of the building's environment and its impact on the area, both at street level and on the skyline to be as interesting, if not more interesting than the rather dry technical aspects of the actual construction - even if only the latter is strictly 'on topic'.

Another random example: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=43880618#post43880618

The last page of that thread has several posts about surrounding buildings and is thus off topic.

Is wjfox actually saying, stop talking about New York City and its skyline compared to London? That seems to be the most sore point here and if so, why not just say it in words of one syllable.

Is wjfox actually saying, stop talking about New York City and its skyline compared to London? That seems to be the most sore point here and if so, why not just say it in words of one syllable.
The whole gist of this thing is that discussions should take place in the right forum. talk about NY v London but in the right place and not in a thread concerned with say LBT. I thought that was obvious but hey ho.

off topic is ok imo if (a) it is something interesting and informative for other readers, and (b) it is not something clearly already covered in another thread (or deserving starting a new thread). as mentioned, international pissing contests are annoying - they are generally uninformative and i think they deserve their own thread (maybe with a toilet icon)..

To be honest this forum isn't the beginning and end of the internet. Many of just look at one or two threads on the whole site (I count myself amongst these) and occasionally veer off to the birmingham, manchester and further afield threads.

I look at new posts in most of the London threads and occasionally comment and add pics. However I got roundly shot down a few weeks ago for complaining about fantasy shard images in other parts of the city in the shard thread. Double standards?

The problem is when it's been recognised that a thread's been taken off topic, but someone still insists on saying their piece/HAVING THE LAST WORD.

My preferred solution would be to close the forum to all but those people I personally approve of. But failing that, you could try gently but increasingly nudging anyone who repeatedly drags threads OT, but it's a fine line between stopping OT chat and sucking the life out of the place.

My preferred solution would be to close the forum to all but those people I personally approve of..

A bit autocratic ?? :lol:

How about we just ignore the off topic posters?

I'm new to this forum but as I'm a keen photographer. As I spend my weekends taking long walks across London I was wondering how to post pictures on this forum? I noticed this at the bottom of each page on the forum - Does that mean I can't post pictures? My apologies if it is a stupid question.

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

if it has that message you are probably not logged in

I'm new to this forum but as I'm a keen photographer. As I spend my weekends taking long walks across London I was wondering how to post pictures on this forum? I noticed this at the bottom of each page on the forum - Does that mean I can't post pictures? My apologies if it is a stupid question.

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

To post pics, use a 3rd party image host like http://************/

Upload them to there and it gives you a text link which you can post here :)

(actually is this post off topic? :lol:)

I'm obviously very new to SSC and have been obviously guilty of lurching off topic more than once and getting involved in unseemly spats (sorry The Sage) but there surely has to be some leeway for humour and around-the-houses comment about similar projects that have a similar aspect or impact and the like.

It should be the Moderators role to quietly have a word with persistent offenders and perhaps point them in the direction of threads where broader discussion is acceptable - shouldn't it???

It just takes little time to understand the protocol.

The day I discovered the Skybar was the day that I was liberated to write as much claptrap as I wished! :happy:

I do however agree with the above comments about posts involving the excretion of bodily fluids. Not good. :puke:

i second will's feelings about crudity on these forums. this is not the place to be crude, if you want to talk like that then perhaps you should head over to 4chan? ultimately, skyscrapercity is about SKYSCRAPERS (the clue is in the site title)



The day I discovered the Skybar was the day that I was liberated to write as much claptrap as I wished!


exactamondo!

perhaps as SSC gets bigger and better used there should be a permanent "How to use this site" sticky giving newbies guidance on protocal and use. Then no-one can say they didn't know!

i second will's feelings about crudity on these forums. this is not the place to be crude, if you want to talk like that then perhaps you should head over to 4chan? ultimately, skyscrapercity is about SKYSCRAPERS (the clue is in the site title)



exactamondo!

The other main problem with crude remarks, swearing, etc is that many people use this forum at work or on their business computers - (obviously in the lunch breaks) :).

i agree with fitz, but how exactly do we classify a newbie if we were to implement his plan?

I'm talking about members who frequently post off-topic, and who treat this forum as some kind of chat room, or the chance for a pissing contest between London and New York/Paris/Dubai/wherever.

If you're contributing news, updates and photos on a regular basis - along with stuff that's relevant to the discussion - then the occasional off-topic post is fine. Note the word "occasional". Surely this is just common sense.

I have contributed images to this section.I love London,i love buildings,and NOBODY but NOBODY is more keen than i on this subject.

I now understand where we stand,and endeavour to adjust,as i wasn't aware how important it was to stay on topic.
So,thats me cool,now

I find some people use unecessary vulgarity on this forum-but i wouldn't shout ''mod's,shoot em down,delete them!!!!!!!! arrrggghh''. It's obvious that most on here are true enthusiasts


Jon

Possibly a slight overreaction :ohno:

It was.Once newbies understand the way things are on here,then i'm sure they'd adjust to it.
It's not immediately obvious how strict and regimented this forum is,as there are numerous off-topic posts.
However,i'm glad its moderated and not full of chit chat

I have nowhere else to write this so im going to write this on here.

How do i upload a profile picture? Or those little sayings you have under posts.

My apologies but I have abseloubtly nowhere to write that.

By the way im taking a trip to London soon so will try get some pictures.

Thanks.

I have nowhere else to write this so im going to write this on here.

How do i upload a profile picture? Or those little sayings you have under posts.

My apologies but I have abseloubtly nowhere to write that.

By the way im taking a trip to London soon so will try get some pictures.

Thanks.

Go USERCP,then ''edit signature''. For the title under avatar,go to ''EDIT YOUR DETAILS'',then type in the field ''CUSTOM USER TITLE''.

For avatar,crop image to 85 squared.

I upload my pics to photobucket,edit them there,
then send it back to ''pictures''. Go to ''edit avatar'',click ''browse'',find your pic,click.

To be honest this forum isn't the beginning and end of the internet. Many of just look at one or two threads on the whole site (I count myself amongst these) and occasionally veer off to the birmingham, manchester and further afield threads.

I look at new posts in most of the London threads and occasionally comment and add pics. However I got roundly shot down a few weeks ago for complaining about fantasy shard images in other parts of the city in the shard thread. Double standards?

sorry about that ;)

It's "hear hear", NOT "here here" - for the last time!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hear_hear

edited

hi all could someone tell me which is the best tube station to view canary wharf from, would like to get some pics...cheers

if you want shots of the skyline then i would suggest greenwhich station on the DLR. go to greenwich park and at the top of the hill you get a wonderful view of canary wharf, the 02 and also the city. Its also just a really beautiful area to visit.

hi all could someone tell me which is the best tube station to view canary wharf from, would like to get some pics...cheers

You could just take the DLR from Tower Gateway into the heart of the Isle of Dogs and drink in the view. :)

PS - I was sure that the new post on this thread would have pertained to 20FS.

It's "hear hear", NOT "here here" - for the last time!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hear_hear

Neither :)

http://www.amoeba.com/dynamic-images/blog/Kelly/here-hare-here.jpg

[scampers off after posting an OT post in the OT thread]

cant wait till this years london marathon for several reasons!!

1 im running in it again
2 i catch the train on the day from london bridge station.....(no further explination req.)
3 the ariel shots of heron and a rising shard on the bbc coverage!!!!!!!!!!

Is it just me... or have all the posts been jumbled up?

Is it just me... or have all the posts been jumbled up?

Yes I noticed something likle that about a fortnight ago. I would quote someone and my post would appear above theirs.

I agree Heron looked better with the spire. Its a shame it had to be removed but extra two floors they'll be adding will make up for it. At least we have the topping out ceremony for Shard next week, any news on the Drinkies meet up planned.

Personally i find comments like "Pass the kleenex :drool:" and "that cladding just made me cum :banana:" to be far more irritating than the general chit-chat that goes off topic.

It's unnecessarily vulgur and more than likely to drive away industry professionals, who may get the impression the forum is frequented by nothing but rampant teens!.I think you have an overly-respectful view of "construction industry professionals". Some of them doubtless think and talk that way themselves. ;)

This forum is never going to be professional, mature, emotion-free, banter-free, or personality-free. Forums never are.

I agree Heron looked better with the spire. Its a shame it had to be removed but extra two floors they'll be adding will make up for it. At least we have the topping out ceremony for Shard next week, any news on the Drinkies meet up planned.

:lol:

brilliant Cat man do !

I agree Heron looked better with the spire. Its a shame it had to be removed but extra two floors they'll be adding will make up for it. At least we have the topping out ceremony for Shard next week, any news on the Drinkies meet up planned.

That and the Leadenhall site being turned into a ice-rink.

Hahhahahaha... took me a few seconds lol

I think you have an overly-respectful view of "construction industry professionals". Some of them doubtless think and talk that way themselves. ;)

This forum is never going to be professional, mature, emotion-free, banter-free, or personality-free. Forums never are.

Oh of course not - i don't have a problem with a bit of banter and chit-chat (i've been guilty of that in the past myself), but perhaps it's the prude in me that finds the thought of people cumming over buildings to be slightly.....odd!

I agree Heron looked better with the spire. Its a shame it had to be removed but extra two floors they'll be adding will make up for it. At least we have the topping out ceremony for Shard next week, any news on the Drinkies meet up planned.

Pics?

hey can we upload powerpoint files to this too?

Since this is an off topic thread I would like to say its exactly one year since I joined this forum!! :banana:

Congrats! =)

Isn't this post of yours off topic?

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=43810608&postcount=2427

Not trying to score points here, but how strictly do you want people to stay on topic exactly?

Why is it off-topic ? You don't say what thread his post is from and he's clearly responding on-topic to your post.

I disagree with his comment though . The interior of the Tate is impressive. The exterior looks like a crematorium and is fittingly forboding.

Oh look at me, I'm on-topic in off-topic.

Since this is an off topic thread I would like to say its exactly one year since I joined this forum!! :banana:

Ah, but since the topic of this thread is that it is an off-topic thread, the fact that your post was off-topic means that it was therefore on-topic and thus off-topic.

BAN HIM!

^^
http://blog.jkbutcher.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/exploding-head-5.jpg

Why is it off-topic ? You don't say what thread his post is from and he's clearly responding on-topic to your post.

I disagree with his comment though . The interior of the Tate is impressive. The exterior looks like a crematorium and is fittingly forboding.

Oh look at me, I'm on-topic in off-topic.

Look at the top right and it tells you http://i40.************/i1mmtx.gif

And I made that post six months ago http://i40.************/i1mmtx.gif

Ah, but since the topic of this thread is that it is an off-topic thread, the fact that your post was off-topic means that it was therefore on-topic and thus off-topic.

BAN HIM!

Logic! im off :banana:

Hello!

If you were looking to buy a one bedroom in either:

Hither Green/Lewisham/Ladywell

or

Acton/Ealing

Both similar style, each with pros and cons..

which would you go for?

Acton/Ealing are very different places altogether and there are crappy areas and excellent areas in both. I think on the whole the Borough of Ealing is better than the Borough of Lewisham...

Hey guys, another property question lol. I was thinking about buying a 2 bed flat at Petticoat Tower.

http://www.homesandproperty.co.uk/sales/744731

Obviously a great skyline viewing point, but does anyone have any opinions/information on the area? I know most people on this forum know central London better than most... just wondering what we're your thoughts on the matter?

^^ Unless you're moving here from the country, and must have green space around you, I'd say go for it.

The area is a strange in between area at the edge of the city - surprisingly rundown in places, and almost too close to the city to live in for most (only some like walking to work).

Plus points:

Highly rentable should you require

Got brick lane, shoreditch, spitalfields close by

Quiet at weekends

Quiet at weekends

very quiet at weekends

^^ Unless you're moving here from the country, and must have green space around you, I'd say go for it.

The area is a strange in between area at the edge of the city - surprisingly rundown in places, and almost too close to the city to live in for most (only some like walking to work).

Plus points:

Highly rentable should you require

Got brick lane, shoreditch, spitalfields close by

Quiet at weekends

Cheers for the feedback.

No I'm not from the countryside lol, grew up in the city centre and that's where my heart will always be - I'm a city boy!

I'm really tempted by it, maybe in time when I get the job I want. I can see myself having awesome flatparties there!

Topic: Bitchy comments & Rants

I just had to say that I am becoming increasingly tired of certain individuals on these forums hijacking the topics with stupid arguments and foul language.
I enjoy a healthy debate about London's projects, but I am sick of the infantile and personal comments that are being made. I want to see and discuss progress of these building projects, but so often when I have a look, it's another rant or pointless argument started by the same person/ people.

I have stopped posting comments on this site (until today) as a result.

Topic: Bitchy comments & Rants

I just had to say that I am becoming increasingly tired of certain individuals on these forums hijacking the topics with stupid arguments and foul language.
I enjoy a healthy debate about London's projects, but I am sick of the infantile and personal comments that are being made. I want to see and discuss progress of these building projects, but so often when I have a look, it's another rant or pointless argument started by the same person/ people.

I have stopped posting comments on this site (until today) as a result.

I totally agree. It's getting beyond a joke. Too many people on this forum appear unable to indulge in adult conversation and reasoned debate, without resorting to childish personal insults and foul language when somebody disagrees with them. It's pathetic, boring and annoying.

I have stopped posting comments on this site (until today) as a result.

Oh I wondered where you had disappeared to! :lol:

Could this all be a result of the wave of new members over the past few members? Jeez some people treat them like illegal immigrants

Im sick of being IN the damned arguments and just wish people would have more respect for the opinions for others and stop riling people up for fun.

landan is my dream land i want to visit all the markets of landon...

^ Thank you for posting an Off-Topic post in this Off-Topic thread. Textbook contribution.

I've noticed when the gay jokes start on this thread how many people jump out the bushes in defense, and it's a good thing there are so many poofs into architecture.

How bout we arrange a gay skyscraper drinks somewhere, close to a major site like shard... suggestions welcome - I dont exactly know all the gay hotspots but that doesnt stop me from enjoying phallus worship.

:)

i guess nobody reads this thread :(

IM ing folks is a good idea :)

good idea Mkid - i just can't IM everyone. I have no clue who to ask, seriously, hence the post..

can you send me a list? :)

deleted

Don't think much of this off-topic thread...I'm going back to where the real off-topic action is..see you in the Shard thread!

I'm looking for a thread on a tall tower I saw yesterday walking around hyde park and kensington. It was fairly near to Harrods and looks topped out or nearly, and easily the tallest thing in the area, but can't find a thread on it here. Anyone know the one I'm talking about.

Hyde Park Barracks being refurbished?

http://i721.photobucket.com/albums/ww218/adrianmole/barracks%20tower/IMG_5476.jpg

[QUOTE=Nightjar;79614384]Hyde Park Barracks being refurbished?

Yes that's the one, thanks a lot :)

Woooooohoooooooooo!!!!!! I'm going to London at the middle of July!!! I'm so glad I'll visit your nice city!!! I've never been to London

Wondering if any of you kind people could please help me out?
I'm after the name of an architecture firm/studio based in London that's called "4464" or something like that. Any takers?

Wondering if any of you kind people could please help me out?
I'm after the name of an architecture firm/studio based in London that's called "4464" or something like that. Any takers?

found it thanks! "fourfoursixsix" very cool

ooohh mince!

Soooo...uuuhhh...........Who likes cheese??

Found this on the Kohn Penderson Fox architects site
http://www.kpf.com/projects/Project138/13997_hr.jpg
First glance thought it was a new rendering of the Shard.
This looks like it's going to be Seoul's very own Shard.

thats like a 500m shard

shard is nicer imo, don't like the curves on this one.

I can't understand from that render how the mountains behind are reflected in the glass at the front. Some clever optics.

I wonder if a moderator could start a 'sticky' thread devoted to addressing the issue of on-topic, but utterly superfluous posts?


"nice pics"

"any updates?"

"this is going up fast"

"not much progress today"

"pics?"

"nice"

"uuuurgh, I'm coming!"

"pics?"

etc

nice cladding.

nice cladding.

+1

"hard to judge before it's finished"

"too close to the river"

"could have been a bit taller"

"a bit dull"

"not dull enough"

"the back's ugly"

"looks worse in the rain"

"hard to judge before it's finished"

"too close to the river"

"could have been a bit taller"

"a bit dull"

"not dull enough"

"the back's ugly"

"looks worse in the rain"

Come on Gherks, you could have eked them out a bit. :ohno:

PS - looks good in the renders, but what will the reflective glass look like on a rainy day?

is that height A&E or GMT?

I wonder if a moderator could start a 'sticky' thread devoted to addressing the issue of on-topic, but utterly superfluous posts?

:cry:

Do as I say, not as I do? :tongue2:

I wonder if a moderator could start a 'sticky' thread devoted to addressing the issue of on-topic, but utterly superfluous posts?


"nice pics"

"any updates?"

"this is going up fast"

"not much progress today"

"pics?"

"nice"

"uuuurgh, I'm coming!"

"pics?"

etc

Brilliant post

I quite like the Cheesegrater and the Helter Skelter but why does London have to compete with Dubai for who can come up with the wackiest design for a skyscraper!!

London's are hardly wacky. Most are born out of constraints on the site and across London. I know of no competition with Dubai.

Don't take it literally!!!!!

I don't mind the 'nice pics' post.

If I went into the city in my own time, and took pics. It would be nice to have them acknowledged. Even if it is just a smiley face or something inane like, 'it's really coming along.'

Its how you know your work has meant something.

@ dreadathecontrols: well blocking people who bug you is always fair, and I am in favor of this !

Loft Conversion (http://www.buildingangel.co.uk)

I don't mind the 'nice pics' post.

If I went into the city in my own time, and took pics. It would be nice to have them acknowledged. Even if it is just a smiley face or something inane like, 'it's really coming along.'

Its how you know your work has meant something.

agreed :)

Paper 1 Canada Square Model by Skyscrapers144

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=92431607&postcount=4382

http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/1923/dscf2281i.jpg
Jackanory05

hi guys, what's the name of a black colour building near the canary wharf? i think it is still u/c and it is sort of like a museum, art gallery or a car show room. it's shape is quite unusual and it looks like a giant crab from a distance. does anyone know it's name?

agreed :)

Wow glad to hear that.

I have been scared to provide a comment on new pics as I feel its nothing to add!

come on gherkin!!!

http://xl.skyscrapercity.com/?page=oneonone&otherday=20120719

Paper 1 Canada Square Model by Skyscrapers144

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=92431607&postcount=4382

http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/1923/dscf2281i.jpg
Jackanory05

Oxfam on Portobello Road have got a paper model kit book of Milan's Torre Velasca on sale for £2.99 at the moment and I keep meaning to buy it, but, since I know I'd never bother to build it, I...er, don't. http://hallofthewendigo.informe.com/forum/images/smilies/sy.gif

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51MVTP4jOPL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

I mean, honestly, look at it, you'd drive yourself insane if you tried.

http://put.edidomus.it/domus/binaries/imagedata/big_387788_7396_08_web_BBPRTourVelascaMilan19501958-1.jpg

It's a slippery slope when you start buying things like that. Your whole house would become full of them.

I bought a beautiful boxed paper model kit of Rodchenko's chess chair from the very same Oxfam a few years back.

http://rolu.terapad.com/resources/648/assets/01%20alexander%20rodchenko/rodchenko_club_chess_table_b.jpg

Needless to say...

Hi guys, i hope u can help me. I looking for some high-rise with open roof. I thinking about ten or more flors. I want to record video clip with good view. I don't think that i can found that place in 1 arena and i know that not allways it is legal ;] 2-3-4 arena is ok to. I am not from London so i rly need help. Pls left me some adress.

Visit 1 New Change right next to St Pauls Cathedral.... it's not that high but it had a great roof terrace.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5MT8nloldOM/TrmhHbnXF2I/AAAAAAAAAT0/dvw9SN1eX3Q/s1600/panorama+photo+of+St+Pauls.jpg


Maybe other people will know more places.

guys! was in london today. question? what is all the contruction going on by pudding mill lane DLR station???

Crossrail portal.

Crossrail portal.

Indeed, plus a realignment for the existing DLR viaduct to accomadate it. Exciting stuff!

NvQl76P1HGo

Around 3:55 gives a reasonable impression as to how prominent 20 Fenchurch Street will be from the South Bank.

http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx323/jenks3/82832196.jpg

^^

Already sold out. :ohno:

Where can you buy them tights from, would be a nice xmas gift for my girlfriend.

Where can you buy them tights from, would be a nice xmas gift for my girlfriend.

They were a limited edition from M&S. No longer on the website. I guess you should look in stores to see if there are any still around. I had the same idea as you.

Prefab Sprout (http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0114ddl)

http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/concern-over-lack-of-regulation-of-shadow-financial-institutions-a-866763.html

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Looks as if London will be destroyed in Star Trek Into Darkness

If you look carefully you can see (left from right): the London Eye, Waterloo Bridge, the NatWest Tower, the Lloyds Building, St Pauls and the Gherkin. Maybe even more ...

http://s3.amazonaws.com/coolproduction/ckeditor_assets/pictures/10424/original/stid.jpg?1354531077

Awesome, but I hope London's architecture doesn't end up like that!!!

yes we must stop immigration!

'Pants' skyscraper? China reacts against latest tall building (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-20526220)

I've seen that pantscraper in the flesh, and I can confirm that it is consummately pants.

The world's biggest cities: How do you measure them? (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-16761784)

What is with the shaking heads popping up on the buttons around the forums?

You mean like this. Is it distracting eh ;)

How the rise of the megacity is changing the way we live (http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2012/jan/21/rise-megacity-live)

The rapid increase in the number of cities home to more than 10 million people will bring huge challenges … and opportunities

http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-images/Observer/Pix/pictures/2012/01/21/urban2.jpg

Cool. VERY cool...

Halley Antarctic research station up and running (video in link)

-- Link to BBC article (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-21341044) --

Britain's new Halley research station in the Antarctic goes into full operation this month.

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/65723000/jpg/_65723869_antarctic.jpg

The base sits on the Brunt Ice Shelf, and is the sixth such UK facility to be erected at this location since 1957. Together with Rothera on the Antarctic Peninsula, it will spearhead UK science on the White Continent.

Halley gathers important weather and climate data, and it played a critical role in the research that identified the ozone "hole" in 1985. In recent years, Halley has also become a major centre for studying solar activity and the impacts it can have on Earth. This is most evident in the beautiful auroras that form over the base - the consequence of particles from the Sun crashing into air molecules high in the atmosphere.

Halley VI's researchers now have a state-of-the-art complex from which to monitor these phenomena. Perhaps the most striking thing about the new station is its appearance. "It looks like something in space," says architect Hugh Broughton.

The British Antarctic Survey (BAS) station comprises eight modules in all. The seven blue ones are work and habitation units. The central red module, which is on two storeys, is the social hub where residents can gather to relax. It contains the dining room, the bar and even a gym.

The entire base stands on a hydraulic leg and ski system that allows it to be raised above the annual snowfall, and periodically to be towed closer to land. If these adjustments were not to happen, the station would eventually be buried and carried to the ice edge where it would then be dropped into the ocean. Halley bases I to IV were abandoned to this fate. The new design makes the adjustments easier and less labour intensive.

The station was constructed in large part in South Africa and then shipped to the Antarctic in easy-to-assemble units. "The idea was to prefabricate as much as possible," explained Karl Tuplin, the project manager for the Halley VI building programme. Room pods, bedrooms, bathrooms - they were all made in advance. Mechanical, electrical services - the wires and piping - came in cassettes that were just slotted into place."

The hope is, some refurbishment notwithstanding, the new Halley can last 30-40 years before a wholly new structure is required. "The feedback has been great," Mr Broughton told BBC News. "In the last station, not everyone had a window from their bedroom. Now everyone's got a view. The acoustics are better, and there're more opportunities to rest. But also the working conditions are much better and there's a far greater array of different scientific experiments now possible at Halley VI compared to Halley V."

The old station has just been dismantled and all its parts removed from the Antarctic.
~~

In pictures: New Antarctic station (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-21336715)

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/65741000/jpg/_65741294_aurora976.jpg

http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-images/Observer/Pix/pictures/2012/01/21/urban2.jpg

-_-, It's incorrect

Where's Seoul?

Where's Seoul?

also Berlin, Barcelona, Madrid, Casablanca ...

In half an hour an iconic London building closes. The BBC Television Centre will switch to Broadcasting House and the building closes to be redeveloped. However, the old building will still have some BBC uses as the BBC plan to keep three studios and use Stage 6 for office staff and BBC Worldwide. Still I do feel a bit sad as such a famous building that has produced many of my favourite shows is closing.

I'm mesmerised by this video, great engineering, so glad we don't have this extra worry when designing buildings, can you imagine the inflated cost in this country!:

Sn4t13uxJFQ

Not sure wether this is off topic, but seeing as the forum is being reorganised, could condone create a folder for each stage of construction, like U/C, Prep, Demo ect...

Can you believe these are actually apartments? The stunning images of Hong Kong ‘living cubicles’ that look just like Borg cubes (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2306842/Stunning-images-Hong-Kong-living-cubicles-look-just-like-Borg-cubes.html)


Incredible shots offer a glimpse into the reality of living in one of the most densely populated areas of the world
Hong Kong is home to a population of seven million crammed into an area of just 424 square miles
Claustrophobic nature of Hong Kong high-rises captured by German photographer Michael Wolf


http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/04/10/article-2306842-19377F79000005DC-441_964x1110.jpg

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/04/10/article-2306842-19377F61000005DC-876_964x761.jpg

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/04/10/article-2306842-19377F27000005DC-437_964x742.jpg

so ugly :(

Yes i agree

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/04/10/article-2306842-19377F61000005DC-876_964x761.jpg


Reminds me of this:

http://static.allmyapps.com/data/apps/2/6/2689/a9ce9740df7712b244356150c1573583_tower_bloxx_01_default.jpg

Michael Gove's standardised schools not such a class act

-- Link to Guardian article (http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2013/apr/14/michael-gove-standardised-school-architecture) --

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Observer/Columnist/Columnists/2013/4/11/1365691333526/oakfield-primary-010.jpg

The words "standardised schools" can send a chill down the spine. They conjure the idea of children being treated as units in a distribution warehouse, as bricks in a wall, as products on a Tesco shelf. It doesn't make one feel better when Michael Gove backs them, as part of his campaign to exclude architecture from education. Early in his term of office, he commissioned the James review, in which senior executives from Mothercare, Tesco and Dixons decided it would be a good thing if schools were built more like retail units.

But standardised schools don't have to be sinister. London is furnished with graceful, airy buildings with generous windows and brick details of simple dignity, constructed in their hundreds to meet the need that arose after the introduction of universal education in 1870. Created under the guidance of the architect Edward Robert Robson, they are standardised but adaptable to different city sites, and when they stop being schools they have converted easily into desirable apartments and studios.

In Hertfordshire after the second world war a series of elegant, light-filled schools were created in the face of low budgets and shortages of materials. In the state and city of Rio de Janeiro, in the 1980s, Oscar Niemeyer directed a programme of 500 standard school buildings that bring a sense of pride, both to the idea of public education and to the places where they are built.

Now, at Oakfield primary school in Rugby, the first of a new wave of standardised schools has been completed. It's part of a brand called Sunesis, created by the contractors Willmott Dixon in partnership with Scape, which is a company owned by six local authorities to make construction processes more efficient. The Sunesis idea happily coincides with the drive to build schools ever cheaper and faster. About 20 are at various stages of development, and it's reasonable to expect that many more education spaces of the future will look like this. Willmott Dixon say they can build schools "up to" 30% cheaper and 12 months faster than "the alternatives", which sounds like a compelling argument.

Sunesis offers a range of types to suit different situations, each named after a different inspirational hero – Newton, Keynes, Paxton, Dewey. Schools can choose the option that suits them, with the help of online interactive plans. "You can plan your school sitting in front of the TV on a Thursday night," says Jerry Major of Willmott Dixon. You have three options for the external walls – brick, cedar or render. Major also compares it to buying a car – you choose your model and decide if you want a sunroof or not.

The Oakfield building is a Keynes, a low, plain shed with classrooms arrayed along each edge. Down its centre is a "street", a broad, toplit space containing shared facilities such as an IT zone and storage cupboards, which also allows teaching to spill out into it, and serves as the main means of internal circulation. At one end it leads to the assembly hall, at the other to a covered portico opening on to a play area.

The street almost entirely eliminates the need for corridors, and is the main move in a simple but practical plan. The classrooms have reasonable ceiling heights and big-enough windows with low sills. The reception area and teachers' offices feel pinched and underlit, but these things can be improved in future versions. The outside spaces are unformed and ragged, as tends to happen when a pre-designed shape is dropped into a location for which it was not designed, but they do their job.

The involvement of teachers was mostly a matter of choosing the plan, the colours and (with the children) the pictures of animals that identify each classroom, but the head teacher, Heather Fielding, says she is extremely happy with the result. She was somewhat relieved that the terrifying business of getting a building built was made so easy. It serves her needs. Problem solved, it would seem, except that Oakfield leaves you feeling that there should be something more to the places where children spend their formative years than a building that, ultimately, is a modified shopping shed.

In search of that something more, it's best not to dwell on the polychromatic, neo-gothic splendour of the Rugby school of Rupert Brooke and William Webb Ellis, visible on the way to Oakfield. Definitely out of the question for state schools. A more realistic comparison is with another new primary, in Takeley in Essex, near Stansted airport, designed by Sarah Wigglesworth Architects. Oakfield cost about £2.7m, including cleaning an existing building and creating the perfectly flat site that the Keynes model requires; Takeley is 80% bigger, required soundproofing against aeroplane noise and cost £5.35m, which makes it more expensive, but not drastically so.

Here, the engagement with staff was rather more than mouse-clicking in front of a TV. They were involved before any plans were designed, which is reflected in a building with such things as a close relationship between indoor and outdoor spaces, to make outdoor teaching easier. Rather than the formless exterior at Oakfield, there are courts and gardens into which the classrooms open. There are nice touches, such as big metal chutes that take the rainwater into a pool, and an intimate raised reading space for the library.

As with the Sunesis "street", the circulation spaces are seen as additions to the classrooms, here a more intricate set of enlarged corridors rather than a single big room. There is thought in the detail, variety in materials and engagement with the surroundings. On arrival you are faced with a brick gateway that, without being pompous or intimidating, communicates that this is somewhere important. These may seem like small things, but they make a profound difference. For all that its planning and some of its design is not bad, Sunesis treats its users like passive consumers, like internet shoppers or Ikea victims, whereas Takeley gives value to discovery, invention and finding things out for yourself.

Takeley, however, is a one-off, and it is idle to pretend that the pressures that favour standardised buildings will go away. What is most needed is a new Robson or Niemeyer, and a serious attempt to achieve repeatable designs that also raise children's experiences above the run of supermarkets and business parks that will form all too much of their lives. It would take a very small proportion of the amounts invested in school building to pay for this degree of thought.

Willmott Dixon's man tells me that they hope to drive the costs of Sunesis still lower, which, as they learn from building more of them, they are likely to do. Then he tells me that the money saved can be spent on desirable extras such as "more CCTV". At what point, if ever, will it be thought worthwhile to spend on a better environment?

GuardianWitness Assignment of the week: Views of tall buildings (https://witness.guardian.co.uk/assignment/516be496e4b046e93b9623cf)

Tall buildings, like the recently opened Shard, have dramatically altered London's skyline and there are more of them to come. Do you think these new skyscrapers are an inspiration or a blight on our cities? Please share your images of tall buildings – the beautiful and the banal – from wherever you are and – if you get them to us before 10am Friday, we’ll publish the best images on the Guardian site.

If I write a message about 'off topic posts', is that too 'on topic' for this thread?

Sometimes size really does matter...
The Most Epic Banner Of All Time: PACIFIC RIM (http://www.pacificrimmovie.com/downloads/PRM_SUPER_HORIZONTAL_WW_res.jpg)

HELLO TO ALL LONDONERS FROM CYPRUS!!!!

We have recently watched on our TVs about the prospect of Scottish Independence in 2014 and I had the curiocity to ask you what is your opinion about it/ if you think that will happen and if you do how that will affect the economy of the rest of the UK.

Congrats for the London 2012 again and wishing to travel to London the soonest :))

We have recently watched on our TVs about the prospect of Scottish Independence in 2014 and I had the curiocity to ask you what is your opinion about it/ if you think that will happen and if you do how that will affect the economy of the rest of the UK.

The chances of it happening are slim. As soon as the date was set and the argument for and against were aired, polling showed that had support dropped to about 28%. It's anecdotal of course, but pretty much every Scot I have spoken to doesn't want to leave, and is mostly worried about 16/17 year olds being whipped into a nationalistic frenzy and tipping the balance.

^^
Same. It's mostly idiots who have barely set foot outside Scotland. No matter where a council estate is, the idiots are all the same xenophobic, moronic pillocks. There have only been a couple of polls where the majority was for independence.
Long live Her Majesty's United Kingdom!

65888557

Was mildly amused by the library image used in this BBC article, a tad old and showing good old T42 as the king of the castle

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-22819964

Had to laugh when I saw this thread. Just proves Londoners are an unsociable, self-obsessed bunch.

Err, it's a London thread about London and conversations tend to be about err, London things. Go to the Manchester thread and you'll find threads about Manchester (and football) .. etc ... simples